What to Buy in February

You're a full month removed from the holidays, and perhaps still sifting through credit card bills and receipts leftover from the joyous event that was gift giving, family functions and mouth-watering sweets and meals.

But are you really ready to start salivating over spending money again, this soon after you just finished the hustle and bustle of mall hoping and department store dashes from one big-box retailer to another?

For the most part, February feels like it would be a spending lull, from a retail standpoint.

At this point in the year, you’re fixated on watching that Christmas weight fall off, have already joined a gym (and hopefully are still going) and doing as much as you can to pay as much of that holiday shopping bill as you can, provided it’s sitting there on credit cards waiting to be paid.

That doesn’t mean, however, that February can’t bring with it the joys of spending done wisely and expertly with picking products and services that are frequently discounted this month.

The natural inclination is February being synonymous with Valentine’s Day, so you’d assume that gravitating toward those sort of things are going to come with it huge savings.

Yes, and no.

While some Valentine’s Day related items offer discounts and promotions to save money, other retailers look at it as a way to gouge you on price based on the rudimentary thought process of simple supply and demand.

It’s worth noting that the average consumer spends just a little over $100 per month in February, $101 to be exact.^[1]

That number is always traditionally down from December due to the holidays, of course, but about the same as what you’d expect in January, suggesting that consumers, despite the holiday rush and mad spending, are still inclined to spend somewhat even in February.

That $101 also can be a bit misleading when you consider the Valentine’s Day effect, and what that means to your bottom line.

On average, you’ll spend about $143 on Valentine’s Day and nearly 20 billion dollars is spent on Valentine’s Day each year, the last figure of 19.7 billion as of 2016.^[2]

Smart, prudent February spending can be done with Valentine’s Day in mind, and also being mindful of your budget, and not everything worth buying in the second month of the year is love centric, either.

Remember that February also includes President’s Day, a day that is highly and heavily touted as one where you can save a small fortune on anything from mattresses to home goods (more on that below in our list.).

You’d be surprised at what other bargains you can find in February if you’re inclined to look closely at how you can spend and save in the same breath.

Bright Like a Diamond: Buy Jewelry in February

Didn’t we just say that jewelry isn’t the only thing you should pay close attention to in February.

The answer: yes.

But that doesn’t mean jewelry isn’t the crown jewel of what you need to buy in February. Aside from roses and chocolates, jewelry just screams Valentine’s Day, and that is why it is easily the most popular purchase this month.

Men tend to spend more on Valentine’s Day, but the real kicker of sorts is that women expect a gift.

Fifty-three percent of women said they’d end a relationship if they don’t receive anything on Valentine’s Day.^[3]

The good news is, if you go by the amount spent on that holiday, everyone seems to be in the clear.

An average of $166 is spent on jewelry during Valentine’s Day, with a whopping $4.5 billion dollars in total sales, accordingly to 2016 numbers.^[4]

The part of Valentine’s Day jewelry shopping that can be tricky is knowing how to steer clear of the “too good to be true” sales versus being able to spend a modest amount of money, and still come away with a breathtaking piece.

If you’re not interested in breaking the bank but want the best of both words with a stunning piece, try diamond tennis bracelets and heart-shaped pendants. Those are typically priced within reason, yet still capture the essence of the holiday at hand, or in this case wrist and neck.

Although some argue that proposals on Valentine’s Day can be in poor taste, that doesn’t prevent engagement rings from showing up as discounted gems for purchase in February as well.

Zales is already touting its engagement ring and Valentine’s Day selection with several options, including $1,000 off a 1CT two-tone ring ($1,999 to $999) and a 1CT Princess Cut composite from $1,499 to $799).^[5]

Although this isn’t what those hopeless romantics want to hear, but February is a great time to buy jewelry even after February 14. The last few weeks in February are when jewelers and retailers rush to offer discounts on what didn’t get scooped up for Valentine’s Day, often times marking down merchandise to the tune of 80 percent.^[6]

Game Breaker: Buy TVs in February

Who doesn’t want to watch the big game in high definition or 4K style in the comfort and privacy of your own home? Tom Brady sure looks even better slinging the ball around agains that Philadelphia Eagles defense when the clarity and picture quality is nothing short of remarkable.

TVs are a hot item in February mostly due to that first Sunday of the month when the Super Bowl hits the airwaves, and you’re too busy staring at the lackluster, tiny and average television you’re going to be slumped in front of for 5 hours.

Much like jewelry, however, TVs are in demand, but retailers oblige by giving tremendous discounts on, even though conventional wisdom would suggest they’d increase the price. Most retailers such as Best Buy, Target and Wal-Mart understand that dangling a 60 inch TV in your face can’t come with it the same, old price tag you’ve seen for the last two months.

The marketplace is ripe with interest in TVs, and that is the best time for consumers to jump on the deals that will ensue.

TVs from Samsung to Vizio and JVC have sets that range anywhere from $330 (Sceptre, 55 inch) to $600 or $700 (JVC), which also includes the mount as part of the set.^[7]

In a broad sense, the Super Bowl really is like a repeat of Black Friday, the day when TVs are discounted for that one day. The good news is the Super Bowl, in recent years, has pushed the price of TVs down significantly, at an average of about 22 percent overall.^[8]

Not only does the Super Bowl help you secure a better deal, but February also is the month when most of the new television models are ushered in, while “older” ones are often discounted as a result.

To say that a TV that came out in 2017 is considered “old” is laughable, and that only exists in the mind of the stores and retailers who have to make room for the new. Think of it like buying a car that is a 2017 and considering that “old” with a few hundred or thousand miles on it.

It’s like new, and in this case, your TV will be, too.

Super fans can rejoin this year, too, with a deal that Wal Mart has cooked up, a 40 percent discount on a 75 inch Septre TV, priced at around $1,000, down from nearly $1,800.^[9]

Sleep Number 1: Buy Mattresses, Furniture in February

Sometimes sleeping easy and comfortably after spending too much on the holidays is easier said than done.

But that doesn’t mean mattresses aren’t an intriguing proposition for purchase in February. Now, mattresses aren’t typically a product you buy on a whim, but rather one that would be considered a need based on the wear and tear you put your mattresses through or just how old your current one is.

February is the best time to buy a mattress, mostly due to the newer inventory on its way through the doors, if it hasn’t already arrived yet.

Mattress purchase in February typically will yield you between 20 and 40 percent discounts, on average.^[10]

You also can’t discount the power of the President’s Day sales, either when it comes to mattresses and how they’re priced. If 2017 is any indication, this year will be equally as beneficial for mattresses and furniture.

Retailers J.C. Penny’s and Wayfair led the way with 40 to 60 percent off mattresses and furniture, and 70 percent off furniture, respectively.^[11]

Although not always easy for some to resign themselves to purchasing sight unseen, online sales of mattresses also can be a huge hit from a price standpoint. Several outlets including Tempur-Pedic and 1800Mattress delivered $300 off and had prices of mattress sets starting at $160, respectively in 2017.^[12]

Clothes Encounter: Buy Winter Clothing in February

One common theme you’ll want to always pay attention to from one month to the next is how to properly save on clothing.

Smart, savvy shoppers realize that in order to save the most money, you should buy clothing in the offseason, and that is all the more apparent in February when it comes to winter clothing. Spring isn’t that far off, so that means winter clothing, outwear, jackets, parkas, hoodies and sweaters are going to be marked down quite a bit.

A quick glance in the Gap, Macy’s or other retailers of that ilk will undoubtedly see big-time savings but also an influx of infused spring clothing already as well.

January and February are prime-time buying months for winter apparel, with February being the most lucrative, to the tune of up to 80 percent off on all things long-sleeved and lined with fleece, for example.^[13]

Even the major clothing players come to, well, play in February as Banana Republic, Express and Columbia can reach 40 to 50 percent off on their entire winter inventory.^[14]

As far as 2018 goes, Columbia has a section dedicated to 50 percent off for men, women and kids already part of its promotional material just in time for President’s Day.^[15]

Honorable Mention: Buy Tax Software in February

OK, so no one really wants to think about filing their taxes and that April 15 deadline, but that doesn’t mean those who want to maximize their refund and save on the software at the same time aren’t in for a pleasant surprise in February.

From TaxAct to TurboTax, H&R Block to Taxslayer, you have your pick of tax pro’s to purchase from, and they’ll be quick to earn your business with the best deals you can imagine.

Last year, TurboTax (when purchased through Ebates, gave users a 20 percent discount, and 7.5 percent cash back, while H&R Block was $10 off online products.^[16]

Bottom line: if you’re paying full price, you’re paying too much.

You might find it taxing if not downright difficult to open up your wallet or tug on those purse strings in February, given the fact that you’re still potentially reeling from what you spent in December (or before) as part of your holiday gift-giving list.

Sure, you’re probably not going to actively look to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars if it can be helped but a lot of what is found on the best products and services to buy in February are rooted in practicality (Valentine’s Day) and need (like a mattress, for example).

If you’re not in the market for one of these items, so be it. This isn’t a call to action for you to simply spend money (or overspend for that matter) if you really don’t need to do so, but overlooking discounts, promotions and other sale prices that are scintillating and smart isn’t how you should be doing business when it comes to budgeting and buying alike.

If the holidays hit you hard, you should devise a game plan to tackle debt and pay off what you can and as quickly as possible to ensure your credit score stays put and you’re actively rebuilding your “nest egg” or emergency fund if that also took a nose dive.

That said, spending really doesn’t have to be put on to the naughty list just because the holidays have come and gone.